Local government leaders, sheiks, clerics, former Baathists, and other Diyala province residents gathered here for an event aimed at quelling violence in the province and encouraging participation the upcoming elections.

In hopes of separating them from hardened terrorists, local insurgents were encouraged to attend and were offered an opportunity to apply for amnesty for all crimes except murder. About 50 took advantage of the opportunity and signed pledges of nonviolence.

Haialy read a Fatwa a religious order during the meeting signed by a group of Sunni religious leaders of Diyala which reversed their position on upcoming elections, approving Sunni participation.

U.S. Army Col. Dana J.H. Pittard, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander, also attended the event and addressed the gathering. "Sign the forms, talk to Iraqi security forces, and then be peaceful. That is all that is being asked of you," he said. "We are temporary guests in your great country, and we will leave when all is secure or when we are asked."

The event ended on a positive note when Pittard, as a symbol of goodwill, extended a peace offering in the form of a handshake to a local sheik with whom multinational forces have had strained relations. The sheik accepted and pledged to work together toward peace in Diyala.

(Army Sgt. Kimberly Snow is assigned to the 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)

A local sheikh speaks to the panel of government officials gathered during a Peace Day event held Jan. 18 at the Diyala provincial government building in Baqubah, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Kimberly Snow, 196th MPAD, USADownload screen-resolutionDownload high-resolution